Vehicle lift



Sept. 23, 1952 w. Guzav', JR., ETAL 2,611,579

y VEHICLE LIFT Filed' May 28, 1951 s sheets-sheet 1 -fy'l'- K JeMIIIIIIIIIIIICM.

u TTOQNE Patented Sept. 23, 1952 UNITED- VSTA'IIEZS PATENT OFFICE ,o W21,411,579 I .y i. -veniote nrw" William Guzey; Jr., van Nuys, Johnourlett, North I-lollywoo'd, and- James F. MeKiney, Bell Gardens',Califl,1 assig'nors, by direct and mesnc assignments", to Miller."Manufacturing; Co. vInc. Los-Angeles, Calififa corporation ofCalifornia` 1.. This invention relates toanimprofved, portable lift forvehicles. More particularly this invention relates to a vehicle liftso-constructed as tol permitl its introduction beneath-al'ow-slungoverhangfing vehicle body for engagement withA theY rear axle v thereofor the chasis thereof in-orderto lift/one" end of the vehicle toa'suitableJ convenient' work; ing height. Y

Prior proposed Vehicle lifts which included spaced lifting armsaresubject-to various objections and disadvantagesA when employedtolii-t modern vehicles having a relatively long distancebetween therear axle and the reary bumperwith a low-slung gas tank carriedtherebetween. While the length of the lifting! arms of proposedl priorlifts may be sufficient to reachIv a position below a vehicle axle.raising'oi the arms on prof posed lifts to makeV contact'with` theY axleis obstructed by contact of the'arms-jwiththe gasltank or otherlow-slungvehiclev bodyj parts: T lius lifting of the vehicle isnot-"possible without causing damage to the gas'vtan-k; f =Itisnotfeasi-l ble to space the lifting a-"rms distance far'enoughY` apartl tostraddle-the tank' because such al wide span will not only requireex'cessiveinterconnect#v ing means between the arms to prevent lateral'sway of the arms with respect 'to eachother", butI also because of thevcosts involved in a; larger cumbersome vehicle lift. There is thusiadeli'ni-telv need fora vehicle liftwhich'is'capable of making initialcontact with the vehicleifaxlebefore the main portion of the liftingmeansis'elevated out of'its normal horizontal position' so' that theve'- hicle may be nrst raisedto a selectedv height before the mainportion ofthe lifting arms" areraised.

The primary' object of this invention is to" design and providean'imprloved vehicleli'ftwhich-v is designed for novel'- operation in'-the liftingof one end of a vehicle.

Another object of this invention is toldesign and provide an improvedvehicleu lift wherein means are providedfor makingan initial contactAwith a vehicle axle andl for initially'lifting said. vehicle beforethemain liftingrarms areactuatedV out of normal non-lifting position;

A further object of this invention: is 'to-design and provide animproved vehicle lift wherein articulated lifting means areoperablefinrsequential order for r'aisingoneend'of a vehicle.

Still another objectof this invention is to provide a portable vehiclelift wherein articulatedA lifting means are sol constructed andoperableV that the portion ofthe.liftinglmeansfbelowlowi slung..portions ci the vehicle` remain Y in normal 116 Claims.A

positively holding' the-,lifting arnisinv selected.

raised position.-

This invention also. contemplatesv aA portable vehicle liitrhavingarticulated' liftingarms actuated by power meansfin afnov'el' mannerand' wherein sai ety-ime'ansincluding hydraulic. locking.

means-associated-with thepower' means are pro' vided for positivelyVholding theilifting arms in selectedv raised position.

Generally speaking, this invention opntem-iV plates an improved vehicleVlift whichA comprises a1 frame structure pivotall-y' carrying a pair ofspacedparallel .forwardly extendingarticulated liting arms, each armYincluding a forwardlyv ex'-v tending finger or extensionv which isadapted tol be'ra'ised-intocontact with alvehicle axlewith'out'raising'. the main portion oithelifting arm'. TheV lifting arms arevinterconnected by me'ansnncliiding a cross-member pivotally connectedthereto, said 'crossemembe'r havinga pivotal con-Y neotion totheforward?e'ridofl'av .pistonrodcarried by" a` power means pivotal'lyconnected' to theA frarnestructure atone end.` The cross-'member isconnected" to eachlliiting finger by novell lever meanssoa'rranged thatltlie Iii-ting nn'gersiare first raised and then the main-portion?ofi-the'llitti'rig arms'are raised about their pivotal-connectionto theframe structure.4 Releas'abl safety' means carried bythe power meansnareprovided for positively holding the lifting arms in'V selected elevatedposition'.

Other objects and vadvantages of thisinvention will become clear 'from'the vfollowing description of' the drawings.

in` the drawings:

Fig. 1- is' atopA view ci a-vehicleliit'fembodying this'invention` Fig.Zie-'a2A side view oi-tlielif-tv shown invFig. l,

theY phantom lines` indicating the position"L of' the liftingarms inraisedposition and' also the position ci the` lifting'l extensions ininitial raised?l position. Y

Fig. 3'is a fragmentaryenlarged View', taken-in aivertiearplane,indicate'dbytnefiinelmsain or Fgh, o.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view taken in the plane indicated by line IV-IV ofFig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view, taken in the vertical transverseplane indicated by line V-V of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 isga longitudinal-sectional view of a power means used -withtheiembodiment of the invenn tion shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the power means shown in Fig. 6 showingthe piston in extended lifting position.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the power means ing slightly toward thefront of the lift.

lifting arm I9 may include a horizontal portion 38 extending alongsidean adjacent frame member 2 0 andan upwardly slightly rearwardly inshownin Fig. 6 showing the power means in operable release position.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of the release meanscarried bythe power" means shown in Fig. 6. l

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged View of the cylinder head used withthe power means shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary elevational view of a modified lever means foractuating the lifting fingers, the view being taken in a vertical planeindicated by the line XI-XI of Fig. 12.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary tcp plan view of the modified lever means shownin Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken onthe planeindicated by line XEI- XIII of Fig. 11. Y

The vehicle auto lift shown in Fig. 1 4comprises a frame structuregenerally indicated at I5, a pair of spaced articulated vehicle liftingmeans generally indicated at I6 pivotally connected to the framestructure I 5, a power means I'I, and means for `connecting the powermeans to the lifting means in such a manner that lifting extensions orfingers I8 may be initially raised to lifting position and thereafterlifting arms I 9 are actuated into raised position as shown, in Fig. 2.

The frame structure I5 includes a pair of parallelr spaced generallyhorizontal frame members 2B, each preferably formed of box orrectangularcross-section. VIt is understood, however. that frame members may beformed of channel section, I-section or any other suitable structuralcross-section capable of performing the function of the frame structure.Atene end of the lift the frame members 2D are interconnected by anupstanding back generally indicated at 2I. Back.

2I may comprise an upstanding box cross-section tapering portion 22secured to each frame member as by welding and interconnected by atransverse wall 23. The frame structure I5 isprovided with frontand rearwheel and axle assemblies generally indicated at 24.

The power means I'I may comprise a normally horizontal forwardlyextending cylinder 25, said cylinder being pivotally connected at 26 tothe frame structure I5 between members 20. The pivotal connection 2Bincludes oppositely extending trunnions 21 on the cylinder journablymounted in spaced vertical brackets 28 secured as by 'welding to backwall 23 and connected by atransverse horizontal member 29. The powermeans I'I as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 may include any suitable fluidpressure operated cylinder and cooperative piston head (not shown); Thecylinder 25 is provided with a fitting 3o for making a suitableconnection to a conduit 3I provided with a fluid pressure control valve32 of any wellknown make for releasably controlling supply of fiuidpressure to the cylinder from a suitable supply-source connected to thevalve by a hose 33.

forwardly directed piston rod 34 projects out-` VVclined portion 3 9`disposed between upstanding portions 22 and `pivotally connected at 40to the back 2l. The pivotal connection 4U comprises a transverse shaftVIll journalled in the top of the upstanding portions 22. Extendingbetween each portion' 39 and sleeved over the shaft 4I may be a spacertube or pipe 42 to maintain portions 39 in spaced relation.

.At the forward end of each arm I is pivotally mounted as at 43 aforwardly projecting lifting extension or nger I8. .Each-'linger I8 maybe formed of a single flat platefcongured at its forward end forconvenient grasping of a vehicle axle or a chassis member of a vehicleto be lifted. The plate of finger VI8 may be provided withlongitudinally extending reenforcing ribs-i4 on each side Athereof, saidplate extending rearwardly of pivotal connection, 43 between side wallsof the horizontal portion v38 of the vlifting arm. y

Means for connecting powermeans 25 and specifically the cross-member" 31with lifting,

means I 6 may comprise a member 46 of generally triangular shape fixedto each end of crossmember 31. Each memberdi lies in a vertical planeparallel and spaced slightlyI from the outer surface ofthe inner wall ofa horizontal portion 38 of the lifting arm. Each member 46 .maybepivotally connected as at II'Il to the adjacent lifting arm, theaxi's ofsaid pivotal lconnection lying normally slightly rearwardly of the'axisof the cross-member 3i. Therearmo'st'sectionof member 46 carries Vanoutwardlyextending pin 48 which extends into horizontal portion 38through a forwardly and upwardly directed curved slot 49 formed in theinner side wall of the lifting arm. Within the box section lifting armvthe inner end ofpin 48 pivotally carries one end f a connecting link orrod 50the, other'end of said link 50 being pivotally connected as 'at 5Ito the rearward extensionof the nger I8. In normal non-lifting positionthepinjiv lies in the bottom rearmost portion of slot 49. When thelifting ngers are in initial maximum lifting position the pin 48 abutsthe forwardend wall of slot 4B so that forward action of the ypistonredis then transg mitted tothe lifting arms for causing their rotationabout the pivotal axis im on the frame structure. 4'

In operationactuation of the control', valve 32 Vwill admit fluid underpressurefto the cylinder 25 for Ymoving thepistonhead 'and piston rodina forward direction. The initial movement of said piston head wilcause. the 'cross-member to rotate about its pivotal. connection .41. tothe lifting arms. The pins 48 are slidably moved by suchrotation intheslots lIIS untilthey abut the forward vend wallof said slots. Duringthis movement of the pins and the rotation ofthe crossmemberl the links50 transmit initial application of force tov lifting fingers I8 to pivotsaid extensions abouttheirpivotal connections 43. This-pivotal'.movementof. the lifting fingers I 8 is sufficient to enableiingers Ilto engage a: part about theframe until a desired workingheight. for the vehicle is' reached. Such rotation oi thef arms causesrotation of the cylinder about trun mons il so that the cylinder andpistonrod are raised t an upwardly directed-inclined positioncorresponding generally' toY the position ofthe portions'38 ofthelifting arms.L

In raised position, automatically actuated. means are provided forsafely'holding'theV arms` in such position.. said`means being; inl.addition to. iiuid pressure maintained against the piston head in thepower means. The safety means may comprise a rack bar 55 extending alongand parallel to the piston rod 34. Rack bar 55may be connected at oneend to the piston rod by a pair of' upstanding spaced lugs 55 receivingthere'- between an endoi the'bar55'I andsecured byla boltor pin 57i. Thebar 55l maybesprovided with a plurality of .upwardlyand rearwardlyvdirected rack teeth '5t-each havingfa rear face- 59 virtu*-V allyperpendicular to=the axis of the. bar..

A pawl 69. may be pivotallyl connected as at 6i to a pair oi spaced ears62- carri'ed'by` the for'- warddendI wall of the: cylinder abovebar 55.They paw-1 E9. isadaptedtto fall by: gravity intocooperative engagement.with teeth 58: for abutment against faces. 55? for holding the bar andpiston against downward moi/'ementy of the' piston'.

Pawl 6i) may be spring-biasedintoi position iitso'.

desired.

Bar 55 moves' simultaneously withthepiston rod and is retractablevwithin thev cylinder.`

through a guide port forming a bearing in the end wall' of the. cylinderabove the lpiston. rod. The inner end or: the bar may not beconnected tothe .piston rod; the load'. being; transmitted through the pivotal.connection 511i from` the rod.

34.1t'o. the barv 55'. Thus.y the; rack bar when in: re-vtractedl-'positiomis protected against dirt and foreign. matter.becauseit is housed within.` the, cylinder..

The pawl t@ :carries-forwardlyoi its pivotal.

connection 6i!v a sidewardly extending; pinY 63 ior;

engagement .with release .means generallyli'ndi-f cated atte. Therelease means (S41` may comprise a shaft 65 rotatably mounted in asleeve' Bf'. carri'ed on the forward end wall of; the cylinder. Theshaft E5. carries; at onerend .aL-'forwardly directedv element S3"extending beneath pini G3' for lifting said pawl'. with anormally"downwardly'extending exten# sionLEt.. the lower'endiorwhichmaybe connected.

toa cable T0;4 The. cable; 10 extends rearwardly through aexible'conduit1I and terminates in a vertically disposed headed pin '12-L mounted inthe top of thefback 2|. Between .the head-,of pin 'i2 and thetop wallofthe back may be-.interposed At its. other: end. shaft65:` is provided.

sei

y 8f3 toprovi'delfa storage chamber. 96 for'. liquidY pawll. out ofi`engagement witl'F tl'ielrar'sk` teethtoi permit. retraction ot the;piston' rodi; andllowering" of the lifting arms.

In Figs. 6-*10 is disclosedamodication ofthe power means shown in Figs:Y1-5'; fer'.v providing` a fluid pressure actuated power'means embodying.

ahydraulic'safetylocking/means?.I. 'i i 'L The power.'- means |15."includes a.` cylinderv et' with aforward end'.walrilfhavingzan axialpcrt32.: defined byl oppositely 'directedbeari'ng bossesv the. liquidthrough! arr; inlet'. and .autlet. port...v 95- having a fitting: 9111connectedlto; a; controllable pressure. supply source. through; tube;92:..

The hollow piston; rod. 8.4.1.te1escopicallyfcarries therewithin aninner stationary hollowV rod.; S3 connected atene. end to headfand atits. otherV endto. aninner pistonheadmloperable within rod 8d and.providediwitlr afsealring. in in.-

operative. position. theiirmerfhe'ad; 9:4 isnormall-y spacedv vfromthefrontendwallor: hollow rod iorwardlyzof pistonfheadz'fi.. The head 94:-may be' provided with an axial-,recess 91 for.V accommodatingaheadedzaxially bored securing bolt 98 having threaded. engagement.. withinner. piston rod.93, the boresy of.ro d.93 and boltiii` providingk apassageway in communicationy with the cham-- beingishouldered; forpositioning; the. red againstvr headBS.;

Elow of` liquid between pressure chamber 89- and storage chamberSG isprovided by a series of connected passagewaysor; bores formedv in head88 and in communication:withv the bores; of rod 93 and bolt 98.Positioned within the: rearward. end `of rod 9 3"isfahollowsleeve IMformed with a. steppedv boreV |02.- reduced in diameter toi dene. aishoulder for a; ball type valvev- HB3. The valve 10.3A is indicatedgenerally and operates to automatically shut oii new oflliquid. seekingto return from chamber; 98 to chamber` 89. The

l sleeve' HH is drilled. alongpag suitable diameter. to

connect bore |82I with alignedv ports. les lin the endgof rod Safor.connectionwith an annular groove; m5: formed in. the inner surface oiport'li);

A radially outwardly;extendingpassageway i85- connects; groove H25. witha1. pair or" radialltT spaced longitudinally disposed bores lill and.H18-,

said boreslii'i and Iiwopening into thachamber 89.

nar-.umfasst and mais progressiveiy'redueee in diameter from the outersurface oi head: 88'

The innermostY shoulder in bore; les` screw threaded'in the'. outermostenlarged portion of bore |08, saidjscrew ||0 having an inwardlyextending pin adapted to contact and position valve |09when open.

The ,bore |01 is arranged to regulate flow of liquid from chamber 98 tochamber 89. The bore |01 is provided with an adjustable needle valve ||2threaded in the outermost enlarged portion of bore |01 and having atapered inwardly extending needle element ||3 projecting into theopening formed by the innermost shoulder in bore |01. Thus adjustment ofthe needle valve ||2 regulates the size of the innermost opening in bore|01 so as to control and regulate the rate of ilow from chamber 9B tochamber 89.

Release means for liquid conned in chamber 96 by valve |03 may includean elongated release pin ||5 having an enlarged portion slidable withinthe reduced portion of bore |02. The pin ||5 includes a forwardlyextending reduced end portion for ow of liquid therearound and theextremity of which is adapted to contact and inwardly displace valve |03from its valve seat for permitting flow of fluid from chamber 96 tochamber 89. The release pin ||5 may be urged inwardly by actuation of areleaselever ||6 eccentrically mounted about a pivot pin ||1 carried ona rearwardly extending cylinder head flange ||9. A cam surface is thusVprovided for engaging the outer end of pin ||5 for urging the pininwardly upon rotation of the lever H8.

In normal non-lifting position as indicated in Fig. 8 liquid maypartially fill pressure chamber 89, the inner supply chamber 96 in thehollow piston rod 84 and the various passageways connecting chamber 96and the chamber 88. ,In lifting position in Fig. '1Y liquid from thepressure chamber 89 isforced through the various passageways into supplychamber y90, said liquid being urged by the pressure of compressed fluid(air) on the surface of the liquid in chamber 88. When the liftingmotion stops valve |03 Vimmediately seats on its valve seat to retainthe liquid in chamber 98 and in the bore of the hollow inner piston rod93. Lowering of the liftingr means and retraction of thepiston rod 84 isthus prevented by the trappedliquid in chamber 96. Valve |09 also seatsagainst its valve seat to close bore|08. l W .l l

To the lower lifting means (Fig. 8) the release lever H6 may be rotatedabout pin ||1 so that the cam surface of the lever urges the release pin|5 inwardly `to push valve |03 inwardly and from its valve seat, thusreleasing liquid from chamber 96 through piston rod 93 to pressurechamber 88. The ball valve |09 closes the bore |08 and escape of liquidfrom supply chamber 96 is permitted only throughthe bore |01. Theadjusting needle ||2 limits the rate of flow of said liquid from chamber'96 to chamber 89 by partially closing the bore |01. Thus lowering ofthe lifting arms may be controlled and preset to any selected rate ofspeed.

It should be noted that in the power means, disclosed in Figs. 6-10inclusive, the hydraulic means is automatically operable to lock throughvalve |03 the lifting arms in each position of the lifting arms duringraising of the vehicle. Thus failure of pressure means actuating pistonhead 86 will not cause lowering ofthe vehicle because valve |03immediately seats and locks the vehicle in raised position.

In a modified lever means for actuating an articulated lifting means(Figs. l1-l3) lifting means. generally indicated at |30, may comprisespaced lifting arms |3| mounted on a frame structure as in the previousmodification. Each lifting arm may be fabricated of channel section asshown, the Aend portion |32 of each lifting arm being formed of suitablestructural section illustrated here as being a box cross-section.

A hollow piston rod |33 may be connected to a powermeans as previouslydescribed. The forwardend of Vrod1 |33 may carry a U-shaped member |34aiiording a pivotal connection to an I- section cross-member |35 bymeans of pin |36 extending through spaced lugs |31 receiving member |34.Each end of crossmember |35 may be provided with a ported lug |38.- Apivot pin |39 carried by each end portion |32 extends into ported lug|38 for pivotally connecting the crossmember |35 to the spaced armsabout a horizontal axis lying below and forwardly of the pivotalconnection |38 of the piston rod to the crossmember.

Forwardly of the Vcross-member |35 a yoke |40 is pivotally connected bypivot pins l4| to the forward extremitiesv of end portions |32, saidpivotal connections being'about a horizontal axis forwardly and abovethe axis of the pivotal connection provided by pins |39. The yoke |40may be formed of I-cross-section and provides centrally rearwardlyextending spaced lugs |42 for pivotal connection by pin |43 to one endof a centrally disposed link |44. The other end of said link |44 isreceived between the arms of member 34 and is pivotally connectedthereto by pin |38.

Y Each end of yoke |40 includes a vertically disposed wall |45 and aninterconnected sidewardly and outwardly spaced wall |40, said wallsbeing ported to receive pin |4| to pivotally connect yoke |40 to eachend portion |32. The spaced walls |45 and |48 define an inwardlytapering recess or socket |41 for reception of a complementary taperedend of a lifting finger or extension |48.

Each lifting iinger |48 may be removably secured in said socket by meansof a headed retainer pin |49 extending through aligned openings in saidwalls |45 and |46. The tapered end of each nger |48 may be provided witha transverse groove |40 for complementary engagement with the centralportion of pin |49, the opposite side of pin |49 being provided with arecess |5| for permitting insertion of a linger |48 into said socketprior to locking of the finger therein by turning pin |49 through 180".The pin |49 may be suitably secured against displacement by a cotter pin|52.

Each lifting finger |48 is provided at its forwardly extending end witha suitable curved coniiguration as at |53 for engagement with avehicleaxle or other. vehicle part. In operation of this modication ofthe articulated lifting means it will be readilyunderstood that theinitial forward movement of the piston. rod |33 rotates cross-member'|35 about its pivotal connection |39 to the lifting arms. Such rotationis transmitted through the central link |44 to yoke |40 causing itsrotation about pivotal connections |4| to the forward extremities of theend portions |32. This rotation causes the lifting iingers to be raisedinto initial engagement with a vehicle axle.

In this modification it should be noted that various sized liftingfingers may be employed depending upon the type of Vehicle to be lifted,each different lifting finger having an inner tapered end formed asdescribed to permit insertion into the sockets |41,

-I 9 It will be understood that .thearticulatedlifting .arms may lbe'differently iconstr'uctedithan the modifications 4above described.` In*any1 such articulatednenstructiom it vis contemplated that `the portionof 'thelifting'arinswill remain J.

in horizontal non-lifting position wlrilelifting fingers carried at theends .of thev :armssma'y actuated Sinto. raised :position forzinitialengagement with'a'vehicle axlefor initially'lifting the vehicle. By this.arrangement low-slungv vehicle bodies :may be raised withoutcausing-damage to intermediate vehicle which normallyy'ob-- structinitial raising. of l.main `portionsI of 'the While two modificationso'f .theflever means Afor actuating the articulated .liftingl vvarms aredisclosed, it 'is understood Vthat the lever means may be changed in'order 'to provide .such an initial lift bytheliftingngers.

It shouldfoe noted that 'thearrangementzof lifting farms with arelatively high pivotal connection to .thalb'anl of the. frame:.provides forlli'ftina a vehicle to amaximumlheightin order'to nfacilitate .service land repair beneath '.theyehicle. It 'should furtherbenotedthatthevehicleV lift disclosed provides a 'laterally stablelifting 4arm .arrangement fand that the means fforactuating the liftingarms so designed as to becapable of lifting vehicles "by `utilizingfluidpressure sources normally found: vehicle repair and service fshops.v"The hydraillic :safety locking means is particularlyl advantageous .in'.that'zthe vehicle end maybe lifted to .any selected'height `and.autnmaticallyloclred 'at said height whereas the pawl. and rack bararrangement la .small amount of settling of the vehicleend may' `occurto permit engagement nf th'e'pawl withithe spaced teeth. v n j It isunderstood r.that various modifications and changes :may hermade in thevehicle lift which may come within thefspirit of this invention and isuch modifications and changes coming within the scope of the appendedclaims are embraced thereby.

We claim:

l. In a portable vehicle lift, the combination of: a frame comprising apair of horizontal boxsection frame members and upstandinginterconnected back members at one end of said frame members; a pair ofspaced box-section lifting arms pivoted to said back members adjacent tothe top thereof and extending forwardly between said horizontal framemembers, each lifting arm including a forwardly projecting liftingextension pivoted to the forward end of said arm; power means, includinga piston rod, pivoted to said frame and operable between said arms; atransverse cross-member connected to said rod; and means connecting saidcross-member to said arms and to said lifting extensions for initiallylifting said extensions and for then lifting said arms; said meanscomprising a memberxed at each end of said cross-member and pivoted tothe adjacent arm about an axis spaced from the axis of the cross-member,an upwardly and forwardly directed curved slot in said arm, a pincarried by said xed member and slidably received in said arcuate slotfor abutment with the forward end wall of said slot, and a linkpivotally connected to said pin and to said extension rearwardly of andbelow the pivotal connection of said extension to said arm.

2. A lift as defined in claim 1 provided with safety means including arack bar carried by said power means and movable with said piston rod,and a pawl cooperable with said rack bar and .carried yby:saidpower.-meansiforimaintaining :said

-1 cooperable with: said .power kmeans l"for 'holding saidlifting'armsinselected'positionA 4. In a portable vehicleli'ft, the-,combination of a.frame structure comprisinzgavpair of frame members and upstandinginterconnected: :back members at one end of said frame structure; -.apair of spaced Vinterconnectedilifting :arms pivotally connected to saidback members andlying between ysaid frame members, each lifting Varmincluding a .lifting Lnger lpivote'd .to thezforward endof said arm;power means, including fa :piston rod, operable between" said arms andpivoted- .to said frame structure; ta transverse cross-.member connectedto'said piston rod; and means,includ ing lever means, -connecting zsaidcross-.member to saidarms. and to said lifting fingersfor initiallylifting said n ngers and for'- then :lifting .saldar-ms.

;5. In a Aportable .lift provided with 'a frame -ks'triucture yhaving anupstandinglbacl: and lnewer means ypivotally connected to said framestructure adjacentsaid back, said power .means vrincluding a forwardlydirectedpiston .rod and a transverse cross-member Yconnectedv Vto saidrod, fthe .combination of.: articulated .lifting means Yincludinginterconnected, spaced lifting arms .pivoted to said upstanding back andlifting 'extensions pivoted respectively to the forward end .ofreacharm; and means for Iconnecting said lifting means to said cross-member,said means including lever means for iirst'lifting sadextensionsand-fior then lifting said arms. z 1

6. Ina lift as Adefined inclaim v5 iwhereinjthe lever means includes 'apivotal connection between each end of saidcross-member and-the adjacentliftingarm. w,

7.Infa Vlift as defined in, claim 5 wherein the levermeans includesapivotal connectionbetween eachend of* said cross-"member land theadjacntlifting arm,` and a pin Vcarried by said cross-member cooperable with aslot in said lifting arm.

8. In a lift as defined in claim 5 wherein the lever means includes apivotal connection between each end of said cross-member and theadiacent lifting arm, a pin carried by said cross-member cooperable witha slot in said lifting arm, and a link pivotally connected to said pinand to said y lifting extension.

9. In a portable lift the combination of a frame structure having anupstanding back; power means including a cylinder and a piston rodpivotally connected to said frame structure adjacent said back; atransverse cross-member connected to said rod; articulated lifting meansincluding interconnected spaced lifting arms pivoted to said upstandingback and lifting extensions each pivoted to the forward end of each arm;means connecting said lifting means to said cross-member and includinglever means for first lifting said extensions and for then lifting saidarms; and means including a rack bar connected to and parallel to thepiston rod and a pawl on the cylinder cooperable with the rack bar forholding the lifting means in raised position.

l0. In a portable lift the combination of a frame structure having anupstanding back; power means including a cylinder and a piston rodpivotally connected to said frame structure adjacent said back; atransverse cross-member tensions plvoted respectively vto the forwardend of each arm; means connecting said lifting means to saidcross-member and including lever means for first lifting said extensionsand for then lifting said arms;A andtreleasable safety means carried bythe power meansl for holding the lifting arms in raised position.`

11. In a vehicle lift as defined in claim 10 wherein the releasablesafety means includes hydraulic means carried by the piston rod forautomatically locking said rod in. extended position. i

12. In a portable vehicle lift provided with a frame having spacedhorizontal members and an upstanding back, the provision' of liftingmeans including spaced articulated lifting arms normally lying betweensaidhorizontal members and pivotally connected to said back,v said armscarrying pivotallymounted lifting fingers forwardly'thereof; powermeansincluding a piston rod pivotally connected to said frame between saidlifting arms; and means connecting said piston rod and said'liftingmeans for initially actuating said lifting fingers and for thenactuating said lifting arms; said connecting means including a crossmember pivotally connected to said rod and to said arms; and meansconnecting said cross memberto said lifting fingers.

13. In a portable vehicle lift provided with a frame having spacedhorizontal members and an upstanding back, the provision of liftingmeans including spaced articulated lifting arms normally lying betweensaid horizontal members and pivotally connected to saidback, said armscarrying pivotally mounted lifting fingers forwardly thereof; powermeans including a piston rod pivotally connected to saidframe betweensaid lifting arms; and means connecting said piston rod and said liftingmeans for initially actua-ting said lifting fingers and for thenactuating said lifting arms; said connecting means including a crossmember pivotally connected to said rod to said arms; a yoke memberpivotally connected to said arms forwardly of said cross member; and acentrally/disposed link pivotally connected to the cross member and tothe yoke member.

14. A vehicle lift as dened in claim 13 wherein the yoke member isprovided with sockets at opposite ends thereof and said ngers areprovided with socket engaging portions complementary to and receivablewithin said sockets.

15. In a portable vehicle lift provided with a frame having spacedhorizontal members and an upstanding back, the provision of: liftingmeans including spaced articulated lifting arms normally lying betweensaid horizontal members and pivotally connected to said back, said armscarrying pivotally mounted lifting fingers forwardly thereof; powermeans including a cylinder, a piston head in said cylinder definingtherewith a pressure chamber, and a, hollow movable piston rod, saidcylinder being pivotally connected to said frame between said liftingarms; and means connecting said piston rod and said lifting means forinitially actuating said lifting fingers and for then actuating saidlifting arms; said power means including hydraulic locking meanscomprising an inner stationary piston rod and head operable within saidhollow movable piston rod and defining therewith a storage chamber;means including inter-connected passageways in said stationary rod andan end wall of the cylinder for iiow of liquid between said pressurechamber and said storage chamber, and valve means in said passagewaysfor releasably locking liquid in said storage chamber when said arms arein raised position.

16. A lift as defined in claim 15 wherein release means is carried bythe end wall of the cylinder for releasing said valve means.

WILLIAM GUZEY, J n. JOHN CURLEIT. JAMES F. MCKINEY.

No references cited.

